Keeping your dog safe at the dog park

The Dog Park at the Rez is open for you and your dogs. Located near Old Trace Park in Ridgeland, MS, admission is charged if you drive in the park entrance ($5) but is free if you park your car and walk in to the dog park. Free parking at Madison Landing Circle.

Some tips for keeping you and your dogs safe:

1) Read and follow the rules listed at the dog park. Here are a few of them:
 
     No dogs on leash inside the dog park.
     Dogs must be up to date on rabies shots.
     No aggressive dogs allowed.

The rules are written to help everyone get along, have a good time, and be safe. If you can't manage to abide by the rules, then the dog park is probably not a good place for you and your pets to visit.

2) Be prepared for any emergency.

We all hope for the best but it's a good idea to plan ahead.What if a dog fight breaks out? What would you do to stop it?  Citronella spray, an air horn, a Pringles can filled with rocks for noise making - all of these ideas could help stop an altercation between dogs.

How would you treat an injury to your pet? Do you have a first aid kit in your car?

3) Keep your eyes on your dog!

Dog park time is not the time to catch up on Facebook or answer emails. Engage in playtime with your pet. Put the phone or tablet or iPad away!

4) Pick up after your dog. Nobody wants to step in it!

5) Know when your dog has had enough.

It's a great idea to leave when your dog is still having fun. Don't wait until they are too tired to walk back to the car.  As Kenny Rogers used to sing:

You gotta know when to hold 'em,
Know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away,
Know when to run.

Who calls a Professional Pet Sitter?

When people call my pet sitting business phone,
 I am hoping they are lookingfor a pet sitting service
 in the area we serve:  Jackson, MS and surrounding towns.
All too often people call and ask questions like this:

Q:  "Do you have puppies for sale?"  
 A:  No, I don't.  I am a Professional Pet Sitter,
       not a seller of pets.  Thank you for calling Priority Pets!

Q:  "How much does it cost to board my dog?"
A:   Priority Pets is a pet sitting and dog walking service.
       We do not board pets.  Call again when you need a pet sitter in your home!

Q:  "Can you take care of my dog tonight (Friday) through Sunday morning?
A:  We need to meet your pet at your home to see if pet sitting is a good fit
       for you and for us.  Sometimes we can take last minute callers, and
       sometimes we are booked.  Thanks for calling.

Q:  "How much does it cost for you to take care of my dogs?"
A:  Tell me about your dogs and their usual schedule.   We then provide a
      quote based on your needs for your pets. 

What are some of your questions about pet sitting?  We would love to answer
them!  Call us today!

How to take Perfect Holiday Photos of Your Pets

How to Take the Best Dog or Cat Photos for Holiday Cards — Infographic by Vetstreet

Pet Sitter in Madison warns about Abady frozen diet recall | Abady pet food recall

June 25, 2013--In the course of my pet sitting business I have come across several people who use raw food diets for their dogs.  For those people who may be using Abady frozen food for their pets,
I bring you this information regarding a recall of two kinds of Abady pet food on June 19, 2013.

The Robert Abady Dog and Cat Food Corporation is recalling two frozen diets due to positive Salmonella testing by FDA.

The specific foods being recalled due to possible salmonella contamination are:

1. Abady Frozen High Stress/High Performance Dog Food 3 lbs.

2.  Abady Frozen Growth Formula for Puppies of the Large & Giant Breed 3 lbs.,

For more information, click on the link below.
 From the Robert Abady Dog and Cat Food Corporation website the following recall notice:   http://therobertabadydogfoodcoltd.com/RecallLetter.pdf

Pet Sitting Rates | Jackson Pet Sitter

How much does pet sitting cost in Jackson, MS?

One of the most asked questions when people call me about pet sitting is this: How much do you charge?  And my answer is, it depends on a lot of factors.

o  How many animals do you have?  Are any of them on medication?

o  Do your pets live indoors or outdoors?

o  Do you have a pet door?

o  How many times per day is your dog used to going outside?

o  Do you have a puppy or elderly pet in your home?

And I think the underlying question that you really want to have answered is this:  how much do you charge compared to other pet sitters in Jackson area?  Or in other words, am I getting a good deal?

Because we all want to get a good deal.

Average pet sitting rates

When you are comparing pet sitting rates from various pet care providers, be sure you are comparing apples to apples.  And remember the old saying, you get what you pay for.

I have surveyed pet sitting rates across the U. S. and here is what I have found for the basic 30 minute visit to your home to care for your pets.

1) Lowest cost   (friend, neighbor, or relative)  $0  FREE*
* But for this favor, you then OWE them a favor in return.  So it's not really free.  Think of it as bartering services. 

2) Modest rate  (hobby sitter, neighborhood kid)  ranges from $10 to $15 per visit.  These are people who need a little extra cash and are willing to do the bare minimum of pet care to get the cash.  They typically make less than $600 per year pet sitting and therefore don't have to pay income taxes on their pet sitting money.  They may live very near you and be able to walk or bicycle to your home, thus they have no gasoline expenditures in order to take care of your pets.

3)  Average rates for professional pet sitter for the basic 30 minute visit:
     Here are some of my findings from researching around the country.
     San Diego, CA   $47 per visit to care for your cats
     Phoenix, AZ area  $33 per visit to care for dogs or cats
     Jackson, MS  ranges from $18 per visit to $25 per visit
  
Did you know that many pet sitting companies fold within their first two years of business?  When their prices are too low, they cannot make a profit and won't be around for years to come.
The professional pet sitter has to charge enough to stay in business and cover overhead expenses like insurance, bonding, office equipment, marketing materials, and staff, as well as automobile expenses incurred while traveling to your home.

Priority Pets has been serving the Jackson MS metro area since 2010. 

Madison Pet Sitter warns about latest pet food recall

Priority Pets is the only Madison pet sitting company bringing you breaking news from the Natura Company:
Pet food recall due to possible salmonella contamination.  Check your pet food labels.  If you have any of the following brands, please discard them.  There is potential risk for your pets who eat the food and for the people who handle the food.

The affected products are: BRAND	LOT CODE/UPC/SIZES	EXPIRATION
Innova Dry dog and cat food and biscuits/bars/treats	All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes	All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
EVO dry dog, cat and ferret food and biscuits/bars/treats	All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes	All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
California Natural dry dog and cat foods and biscuits/bars/treats	All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes	All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Healthwise dry dog and cat foods	All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes	All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Karma dry dog foods	All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes	All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Mother Nature biscuits/bars/treats	All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes	All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

Read more details and how to get a refund for discarded food  here: http://www.californianaturalpet.com/voluntary_recall/Natura%20FINAL%20Press%20Release%20061813.pdf

 

Doggie Daycare vs. Dog Walker | Jackson Dog Walker

So you have a new puppy? Congratulations! Now I know you want to take care of the puppy's physical needs for food, water, and exercise.  And you want to make sure that the puppy gets plenty of mental stimulation for brain development.  So how best to take care of these needs?

If you work all day, there are a couple of options to help you with your puppy.  Dog day care is one; crate training with a dog walker coming to your home several times per day is another.  How do you decide which one is right for you?

Choose dog day care if:
1) your dog has destructive behaviors such as excessive chewing or barking when left home alone.
2) your puppy gets along well with other dogs.
3) your puppy has been fully vaccinated (usually by about 4 months old).
4) your dog comes  home happy from the dog day care experience.

A professional pet sitter or dog walker might be better for you if:
1) you prefer your pet to remain in your home in their familiar environment.
2) your dog has not been fully vaccinated yet or you prefer to delay vaccinations for health reasons.
3) you want your puppy to have individual attention and play time at regular intervals throughout the day without the distraction of other dogs.
4)  you want your puppy to learn good behaviors through positive reinforcement and not to pick up bad habits from other dogs in a large group setting.
5)  you want the benefits of crate training as part of your pup's house training routine.

Priority Pets offers dog walking in Jackson, MS metro area as well as pet sitting while you are on vacation.  Have more questions? Call or contact us today!

WANTED: Dogs to walk in Madison MS

Is your dog getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every day?
Is your dog bored with being home alone all day while you work and getting into trouble because of it? 
Could you use your lunch hour to actually eat lunch with coworkers rather than driving home to let the dog out?
Priority Pets has the solution! Daily dog walks are just what your pet needs to stay active, to let out some of their energy, and to keep them happy and healthy.  Just like humans, our dogs need daily exercise to stay fit. 

Call us today to get on our daily dog walking schedule.   We can set you up for mid-day visits or late afternoon visits, depending on your scheduling needs.
Call today! 601-750-2896

Andrew Cranford with Drake

Hotel Pet Sitter Jackson | Hotel Pet Sitter Madison

Welcome to Mississippi!  If this is your first visit to central Mississippi, then you are in for a treat. Southern hospitality can't be beat.  If you've been here before, then you know what I mean about the Magnolia State.

Need a hotel pet sitter in Jackson? You have come to the right place.  Priority Pets provides pet sitting and dog walking services in your location--home, office, apartment, or hotel.  We come to you to take care of your fur babies while you take in the sights or eat at one of our delightful restaurants.

Just call us at 601-750-2896 and we'll be right there when you need us.

Not sure?  Look over to the right and see what some of our other clients have to say.

Pet Sitter with cat in arms

Whether you are here for a day or for a lifetime, Priority Pets wants to meet your pet sitting needs.
Your pets are our priority!

How does pet sitting work? | Pet Sitting Jackson MS

Many pet owners call and ask, "How does pet sitting work?"  Here's the scoop!

1) Contact Priority Pets by phone or by the contact form on this website.

2) We will visit you in your home, meet your pets, get all of your instructions written down, and collect your payment for your upcoming reservations and two keys.

3) You are all set! Have fun on your trip and relax knowing that your pets are being cared for by
reliable, trustworthy professional pet sitters.

Dog Walker with Boxer by pool

And then the next time you want to leave town, all you have to do is call with dates and times.
Your keys are safely kept in our files.

What could be easier?  Call us today!   601-750-2896

Jackson Pet Sitter wants you to play with your dog!

Have you ever read studies about animals and wondered, "Where do they get all those statistics? They have never seen MY pet!"  Well, now you can be included. We just heard about a citizen science survey where you can be involved.  Here are the details from the Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab in New York.

“Our latest study investigates all the different ways people and dogs play together, and we need your help — well, you and your dog’s help! For the first time, we are crowdsourcing, asking dog owners to submit short videos of themselves playing with their dog.
Here’s a brief summary of what the study entails (the full details are at www.DogHumanPlay.com):

• Find or make a 30-60 second video of you and your dog playing in whatever way you like, and then upload the video to our website and complete a short survey. The video must capture both you and your dog playing together onscreen.
• You are also invited to add a picture of you and your dog to our growing Wall of Contributors.
• Submit your video by March 31, 2013.

Project: Play with Your Dog is entirely online and is open to anyone, in any country. If you live with a dog, we want to see you play!

Do you know other people (and their dogs) who would want to participate? Please spread the word! 

Want to know more? Here are some links to previous media coverage of the study:

• Scientific American: How Do You Play With Your Dog?

• Citizen Science: Call to Participate

• The Bark: Playing with Our Pups

Thank you for playing!

Cheers,  Julie,  Lab Manager, Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab”

Wow! How cool is that?!! And while you are uploading your video, feel free to post it on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PriorityPets   We would LOVE to see how you play with your dog!

Pet Sitting vs. Dog Boarding | Pet Sitter Madison MS

Pet sitting or dog boarding? Which is better for my pets when I am out of town? Not every pet owner has the same needs.  This article is written to help you decide which is best for you.

Dog boarding or kenneling may be the best choice for you if ...

1) Your dog chews up furniture when you are out of the house.  If you've seen Marley in the movie, Marley and Me, then you know what I'm talking about.
2) Your dog's separation anxiety causes him or her to howl incessantly when you are away.
3) Your dog may enjoy the company of lots of other dogs.  If the boarding facility you choose offers doggy daycare, this may be an option for you.
4) You have only one dog and it is ok that he is kept in a cage most of the time with potty breaks outside several times a day.  The barking of other dogs doesn't bother him.

Pet sitting may be the best fit for you if...

1) You have multiple pets in your home.  Kennels have a fee per each pet.  Pet sitters, on the other hand, have a fee per each visit to your home.  A pet sitter in your home may actually SAVE you money if you have multiple pets.
2) You enjoy the convenience of having someone visit your pets in your own home. You don't have to load them up, drive to drop them off, and pick them up during kennel hours.
3)  You want to avoid your animals being exposed to other viruses that are going around.
4)  You know your pets would be happier sleeping at home in their own beds.
5)  You believe your home would be more secure with someone coming and going or staying overnight with your pets.
6) Your dog does not play well with other dogs that are not part of his family.

Call us with any questions you may have about pet sitting versus dog boarding in Madison, MS.

How Often does my Cat need to be Visited | Cat Sitter Madison MS

People tell me all the time, "My cats will be ok if you come by every other day."

Really?!!

Cats can get into all kinds of precarious situations. My grand-cat, Sebastian, is famous for climbing on top of open doors.  I don't know how he gets up there! But this is where he was sitting when his mom came home.

And then there is Jackson, a beautiful Ragdoll kitten who is very loving.  His litter box is in a little storage closet.  One night after I left his home, he closed the door to his "bathroom." The next morning he was so glad that I was there to open it!  His owner has us coming by twice a day to take care of Jackson.  Good thing, otherwise he would have had a lot of cleanup and deodorizing to do.  I propped the door open to prevent this from  happening again during this trip.  

Cats can contract urinary tract infections that can make them very ill very fast.  If there is a urinary tract blockage, this can become life threatening for your cat very quickly.

I recommend that your cat be visited at least once every 24 hours while you are away.  What could be more important than your peace of mind about the health of your cat?

Easy-to-Make Fall Treats For Your Dog

Have you ever thought about making your own dog treats?
You can save money and offer healthy snack fare for your
fur babies! 

And real pumpkin (which is on clearance sale at the groceries
after Halloween) is so easy to cook and puree.  Dogs love pumpkin!

Cut a whole pumpkin into two halves.  Scoop out the seeds and
stringy stuff.  You can clean and rinse the seeds for roasting
separately. Put the two halves of pumpkin cut side down on
a cookie sheet which has been lined with heavy duty foil.
Bake at 375 F. for about one hour. Time varies with the size
of the pumpkin.  Remove from oven, cool a little while,
and the skin of the pumpkin will come right off.  Puree the
pumpkin "meat" in a blender or mash through a colander.

Easy-to-Make Fall Treats For Your Dog

What can go wrong with Pet Sitting in Jackson, MS?

Many of you have asked me, "How long have you been doing this?"  I've been pet sitting since 2005, so a little over 7 years now.  I started the Priority Pets business in June of 2010, so I've been promoting my own business since then.  I've taken care of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, fish, and there was one house with a snake (they promised I would not have to look at it, let alone feed it).

And some of you even want to know, "Have you ever had problems while pet sitting?"  Sure, and those learning experiences help us come up with our policies and procedures.  Here are some examples:

I locked myself out of a client's home one night.  My car keys, the client's house key, everything I had taken inside the home...were all inside on the kitchen counter.  I solved the dilemma by carding a back door.  If this had not worked, I would have had to pay a locksmith to open the door.  This led to our policy of requiring two keys from everyone. 

Two of my staff members broke a key in a door on two separate occasions.  The guys have big hands, what can I say?  Another very good reason for me to require two keys for every location.

A key did not work on a client's home just 3 days after I had tested the key in the door myself.  I usually always will test the keys in the doors at your "Meet the Pet" visit.  Either the house shifted (all the Yazoo clay in our area causes lots of this) or the lock just plain wore out.  In any case, I now have a great locksmith contact who can take care of me if this ever happens again. 

A homeowner left me a garage door opener for entering their home.  I asked for a key in addition to the opener.   Good thing I did, because the electricity was off on the very first visit to their home while they were out of town on vacation.  Garage door openers require electricity to work.

Another client who prefers the garage door opener had a bad battery in the g. d. o.  The spare key saved the day again.  Folks appreciate the fact that I've had these experiences and that I will do everything possible to be prepared for the unexpected emergencies that may come up.

What other emergencies have come up while you were away from your home?  Comment below!

Jackson Pet Sitter warns you about Nature's Recipe recall

Nature's Recipe Voluntarily Recalls Nature's Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits

Salmonella can cause diarrhea and/or stomach ache in your pets. 

The Nature's Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits may be contaminated with salmonella.  Click on the link
for more information.

Jackson Cat Sitter Weighs in on World's Best Cat Litter

I visit lots of cats and take care of the litter box chore
when I am there to play with the cats.  So I see my fair
share of different kinds of cat litter.

Let's see, there's clay based, clumping, non-clumping,
scoopable, crystalline, pine, wheat, and corn.
There's scented cat litter and unscented; there is some
with baking soda added for odor control.  There are
cat litters that advertise "multiple cats," as opposed
to single cats.

So when I saw a cat litter called "World's Best Cat
Litter" I was intrigued.  What was different about it?
How could they say they had the "World's Best?"

Here are the plusses:   World's Best Cat Litter is made
from ground up corn.   So it's biodegradable which
means it's friendly to the planet.
World's Best Cat Litter clumps so you can remove
the cat urine from the litter box.  (Please do that at
least once a day.)
The multiple cat variety that I used was scented
with lavender.  Nice touch if your cat likes the smell
of lavender.

And now for the minuses:  World's Best Cat Litter
has light weight particles and it's tracked all around
the litter box.  I recommend a towel or a rug or mat
under the box to make clean up easier.
Some people say it's expensive.  At $7.99 for a 7 lb.
bag, which may last an entire month, what do you think?

Give me your feedback below.  Have you tried the
"World's Best Cat Litter?"  Here's a coupon for a free
bag   FREE BAG OF WORLD'S BEST CAT LITTER

13 Reasons to Hire a Pet Sitter in Jackson, MS

1)    Your pets love to stay home in their own familiar
        environment.
 2)   They are a little (or a lot) stressed by the kennel
       or boarding facility.
 3)   Your pets got sick the last time they stayed at the vet
       from the kennel cough that was going around.
 4)   You have recently moved to Jackson, MS and don't
        have family here.
 5)   Your mother-in-law watched the dogs last time you
       traveled and she left the back door wide open.  :(
 6)   You want the added security for your home, having
       someone visit several times a day.
 7)    Your pet loves to play frisbee in your back yard and
         needs the vigorous exercise to stay happy and healthy.
 8)    Your plants need a little watering every day or so and
         the newspaper needs to be brought in.
 9)    Your fur babies need a lot of tender loving care!
10)   You don't have time to load up the pets and all their
         paraphernalia to take them to board somewhere and
         still make it to the airport on time.
11)    You have lived in the Jackson, MS metro area a long
          time and have imposed on your friends and family
          for pet care long enough!
12)   You want someone to stay in your home overnight
         with your pets.  (Yes, we can do that!)
13)   You want a professional pet sitting service rather
         than the neighborhood kid to take care of your furry
         family members.

Well, what are you waiting for?  Call 601-750-2896 today
 (or use our contact form on the upper right side of the page).
 You'll be glad you did!

Jackson Dog Walker and Pet Sitter helps Pet Owners New to the Area

Welcome to the Jackson, MS area!

As a pet owner who has recently moved to the Jackson metro area,  you will soon be needing to find pet services and supply stores, veterinarians and groomers, boarding facilities or pet sitters. 
I am happy to help you with that!  Please let the Vets and Groomers and Hollywood Feed know that
Julia of Priority Pets Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services sent you!

If you are a pet business owner and would like to be listed on this page, please call Julia at 601-750-2896.

Feed and Supplies

Petco
175 Grand View Boulevard #600
 Madison, MS 39110
(601) 605-9844

PetsMart  2 locations
6333 N I-55
Jackson, MS(601) 956-4444

198 Promenade Blvd
Flowood, MS(601) 992-7076

Hollywood Feed natural and holistic pet food
1250 E County Line Rd
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 977-6220

Veterinarians

All Creatures Animal Care Center
262 New Mannsdale Rd.
Madison, MS 39110

 Dr Kennedy,  Veterinarian
1530 East County Line Road
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone: (601) 956-2932

North State Animal Hospital
Dr. Whittington is our area bird expert.
5208 North State Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39206
(601) 982-8261

24 hour Emergency Vet:

Animal Emergency Referral Center
1009 Treetops Blvd.
Flowood, MS 39232
Phone: (601) 939-8999

Grooming

Margie's Grooming   
Margie Bunn 
2003 Stonehendge Drive

Brandon, MS 39042

(601) 829-9597

 

Madison Ridgeland Pet Grooming

Keith and Ira
739 Hwy 51

 Madison MS 39110

(601) 898-9594

 

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

Priority Pets (of course)
Julia Cranford
601-750-2896

 

Choosing a new dog for your family

I was volunteering with CARA Shelter in PetCo this weekend.  Lots of people walked by with their kids and looked at the dogs and cats that were available for adoption from CARA.  Some parents said they were ready to get a pet for their kids after they get back from vacation.  That raises the question, How do we pick a new dog or cat that will be compatible with our kids, our lifestyle, our home, etc.

Here is an article that will help us answer that question:  How to Choose a New Dog